Production of "American Idol" to Move from California to Georgia Amid Tax Incentive Debate

"American Idol" will shift its production from Los Angeles to a studio complex near Atlanta, according to Fremantle, the show's producer. The move follows discussions with the Georgia facility and reflects the state's competitive tax credit program for film and television.

Georgia offers a 20% base tax credit with an additional 10% promotional uplift for qualifying projects, and requires at least $500,000 in local spending. Stephen Weizenecker, a partner at Barnes & Thornburg who helped design the state's incentive framework, said the tax credit often becomes the decisive factor once infrastructure needs are met, noting that Georgia now has purpose-built studios such as Tyler Perry, Trilith and Assembly that can accommodate large-scale productions.

Lisa Cusack, president of the Don’t L.A. My Burbank PAC, warned that the relocation highlights California's lag in incentives for unscripted programming, citing AB 2319, which excludes reality shows from the state's entertainment tax credit. She urged state officials to address the disparity.

The shift occurs amid broader concerns about California's ability to retain entertainment businesses. Paramount CEO David Ellison has previously threatened to move the company's headquarters out of the state if tax disputes are not resolved.

"The issue is that Georgia offers generous incentives for reality TV shows, while California often leaves them behind," Cusack told Fox News Digital.

The relocation also reflects changing ties between talent and Hollywood; judge Carrie Underwood, who lives on a farm in Tennessee, has not linked her residence to the production decision but underscores the decreasing geographic dependence of the show's personnel.

Georgia's film academy network and expanded post-production services have created a self-sustaining workforce, according to Weizenecker, further strengthening the state's appeal to high-budget series.